T-System To meet the needs of manufacturers of sophisticated parts, this new thermoforming series from Cannon comes with advanced controls. Three families of machines, targeting different product heights, are available; forming areas are adjustable down to 40 percent of the machine's maximum. The full-servo, single-station thermoformers have a "zero-gravity" chamber that uses air pressure to prevent the sheet from sagging as it's heated. The machines automatically adjust the aperture plate and clamp frame. They feature automatic sheet loading, as well as automatic product unloading. A range of heating configurations is available, including ceramic, quartz and halogen heaters.
What's new? The T-System platform, the first from Cannon to include a real-time, closed-loop temperature control that allows operators to specify parameters for particular zones of a sheet. Also, compared to previous series, the T-System machines occupy 15 percent less space.
Benefits Speed, precision, energy-efficiency and reliability. Designed for high-end markets, such as aerospace and automotive, the series has the controls and capabilities to handle high-temperature and engineering-grade resins. For instance, unlike other thermoformers, which use aluminum or steel plates, T-System machines employ moving plates made with a glass-fiber-based composite that tolerates both heat and pressure. In addition, the machines have software that allows them to make automatic adjustments based on past performance. Equipped with software for storing an unlimited number of recipes, the machines are suitable for short production runs, with product changeovers taking only 10 to 15 minutes. To ensure fast delivery times, more than 70 percent of components in each machine family are standardized.
Cannon USA Inc., Cranberry Township, Pa., 724-772-5600, www.cannonusa.com
